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Iraq

August 17, 2026

Baghdad 6:40 pm

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Smoke rises after explosions were heard and air defences activated near the airport in Erbil, on July 24, 2026.

Explainer

Why Iran targeted Barzani family stronghold in Iraqi Kurdistan

Iran’s Kurdish opposition groups have turned Iraqi Kurdistan into a frontline in the war.

A man inspects the damage at the site of a strike in Bartalla, in the northern Iraq's Nineveh province, after US-Saudi attacks on militias, July 29, 2026.

Iraq intel and security officials visit Saudi Arabia after drone attacks

Iraqi authorities are cracking down on drone attacks after US and Saudi airstrikes targeted Iran-backed militias in the country.

The commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Esmail Qaani, speaks during a commemoration ceremony marking the anniversary of the 2020 killing of Guards general Qasem Soleimani (on screen) in the capital Tehran on Jan. 3, 2024.

Analysis

What Qaani's Baghdad visit reveals about Iran's post-war dilemma

The Quds Force commander's Baghdad visit is occurring as Iran faced difficult choices in Iraq where the government is moving to bring powerful armed groups under state control after the recent war.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Latest News

IRGC chief Qaani reportedly in Iraq ahead of militia deadline

Qaani

Analysis

How Turkey is deepening energy and economic ties with Iraq as Iran weakens

a worker inspects an oil field in Iraq

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Iraqi Kurdish president’s meeting with Syria’s Sharaa signals shift in SDF dynamics

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa meets with Iraqi Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani in Damascus, Aug. 3, 2026. IKRPresident/X

Amberin Zaman

Chief Correspondent

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Jared Szuba

Defense and Security Correspondent

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Beatrice Farhat

Associate Editor (Lebanon)

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Suadad al-Salhy

In Baghdad, reporting on politics and security

Lyse Mauvais

In Amman, reporting on humanitarian crises

Winthrop Rodgers

In Sulaymaniyah, reporting on Kurdish issues

This picture taken on Sept. 26, 2021, shows current parliament speaker Mohammed al-Halbusi.

Iraq's speaker reelected with backing of Muqtada al-Sadr

Mohammed al-Halbusi is Iraq's speaker of parliament for a second term despite opposition from Shiite parties aligned with Iran.

Shiite Muslim men in the military fatigues of Iraq's Kataib Hezbollah wave the party's yellow flags as they march through Baghdad during a parade marking Al-Quds (Jerusalem) International Day on July 25, 2014.

Kataib Hezbollah member’s family massacred in Baghdad

An assassination attempt on a member of the Popular Mobilization Units and the massacre of his wife and children have raised questions about security in the Iraqi capital amid continuing US-Iran geopolitical tension in the region.

A supporter of the Iran-backed Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation) paramilitary forces stands holding a picture showing the faces of (L to R) slain Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani and Iraqi paramilitary commander Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis during a demonstration outside the entrance to the Iraqi capital Baghdad's highly-fortified Green Zone on Nov. 7, 2020, demanding the departure of remaining US forces from Iraq.

Coalition hits back at Iran-backed groups

A sharp uptick in drone and rocket attacks allegedly by Iran-backed groups have targeted bases housing US-led coalition forces in both Syria and Iraq as part of a push to force all US troops to leave the region.

Members of the Iraqi federal police force stand guard at a checkpoint in Baghdad, on January 29, 2021.

Babil massacre increases demand to reform Iraqi security forces

Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi refers to the "heartbreaking massacre" and reinforces his commitment to security reform after 20 family members are killed based on specious charges.

SAFIN HAMED/AFP via Getty Images

Iraq records first omicron cases

Five cases were confirmed in Dohuk province and an unknown number of infections were recorded among foreign diplomats in Baghdad.

Protesters hold pictures of Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, during a demonstration outside the US consulate in Istanbul, on Jan. 5, 2020, two days after top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani was killed by a US drone strike.

Attacks on US in Iraq meant to send ‘harsh’ message — without spilling blood

On the anniversary of the death of former IRGC commander Qasem Soleimani and with the resumption of the nuclear talks in Vienna, Iran stakes out a hard line.

Supporters of Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr celebrate in Baghdad's Tahrir Square on Oct. 11, 2021.

The Takeaway: Iraq’s elections: What comes next?

Updates from our correspondents in Israel, Palestine, Turkey, Egypt and New York; Multimedia reporting on Kurds, Tel Aviv, Egypt and Sharjah!

Iraq rockets

US troops in Syria, Iraq targeted with renewed rocket and drone attacks

Iran-backed militias are not buying the Pentagon's attempt to rebrand the coalition's defeat-ISIS mission.

Shalemcheh

Iran, Iraq draw up plans for railway connection from Basra to Shalamcheh

Iran and Iraq transportation ministries signed a document setting a roadmap for implementation of Basra-Shalamcheh railway connection, which should boost economic activity for both countries.

John Moore/Getty Images

US coalition in Iraq halts second drone attack in two days

Coalition forces in Syria also hit back in response to rocket fire near al-Omar oilfield.

Iran border

Iran’s support for Taliban pays off, but border remains problematic

Exports from Iran to Afghanistan are increasing as border clashes and the smuggling of both people and drugs fosters instability.

AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP via Getty Images

Drones shot down in Baghdad on Soleimani death anniversary

The thwarted attack came on the second anniversary of the killing of Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani.